We need good disaster plan

Two more notices of trouble to come hit west Vancouver Island in the past two weeks. The first occurred when a magnitude 5.1 quake rattled a region under the Pacific about 170 km west of Port Hardy.

A few days later, a 5.5 quake at 6:20 a.m. woke many residents of Port Alice, Port McNeill and Port Hardy. The resulting tremors rattled windows but caused little damage.

Quake seismologist John Cassidy said the area is one of the “seismic hotspots”. And if heavy tremors hit, people should “crawl under strong furniture for protection from falling objects”.

If and when a tsunami came roaring up the Alberni inlet, the siren alarms would be sounded and radio station PEAK FM will broadcast directions to “high ground”. But one important detail is still fuzzy. A specific gathering location should be given where people would register for food and accommodation. Such as the Glenwood Sports Centre, the Multiplex or other large buildings in the Echo/Fairgrounds area.

Harold Hamilton,

Port Alberni

(Editor’s note: The parking lot at the AV Multiplex is designated a mustering or gathering area in the event of an emergency.)